We are all pupils at Julie Sianne Theatre Arts in Byfleet, Surrey, and have been competing in local dance festivals since last year.

After these we were so pleased to qualify in 15 sections for the regional finals which were held at Welwyn Garden City at half term. These included ballet, tap, modern and song and dance solos, duets, trios and groups. We stayed at the Premier Inn for the whole week because it was too far to travel home every day. The big breakfasts set us up for the day ahead. And we loved their £1 puddings which were always a treat at the end of each dancing day!

We were stunned by the end of the week to be placed in the top 3 for every single one of our dances, winning honours, which means we do all 15 dances again at the All England National Dance Finals, along with our friends from JSTA who qualified in their sections. The finals are at the Peacock Theatre in London’s West End from 28 July to 7 August.

I am most nervous about my tap solo but the groups are really great to do as we work together as a team.

Wish us all luck!

by Bethany Cox